Locking System

ABSTRACT

A locking system for locking a food container and inhibiting tampering of a cover on the container. The container includes a base and sidewalls. The cover hingedly joins with one end of the sidewalls and pivot between an open and a closed position. The cover comprises a lower surface and an upper surface. The upper surface rests in proximity to the lower surface to indicate tampering, and comprises a compression portion. The lower surface includes apertures and a slot. A seal portion at least partially wraps around the container for locking the cover into the closed position. A base end fastens to the base and sidewalls. A locking end includes a drive mechanism that enables the locking end to move along the slot. The locking end includes protrusions that can be pressed into the apertures with the compression portion for fastening the seal portion to the container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

RELATED CO-PENDING U.S. PATENT APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office,patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to a lockingsystem for containers. More particularly, the invention relates to alocking system that seals food containers and indicates tampering.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following background information may present examples of specificaspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts,or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educatethe reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to beconstrued as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof,to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

The following is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art that,while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as toadditional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limitingthe present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated orimplied therein or inferred thereupon. By way of educational background,another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is thatwherever food is harvested, manufactured, or distributed there is a needfor containers to enable the food to travel securely and in goodcondition to the shop, warehouse or distribution depot. For many foods,especially those in their own individual containers such as fast foods,the common container is the corrugated fiberboard box. Corrugated boxesare available in many sizes.

Typically, security seals are mechanisms used to seal containers in away that provides tamper evidence and some level of security. Such sealscan help to detect theft or contamination, either accidental ordeliberate. Security seals are commonly used to secure vehicles,chemical drums, airline duty free trolleys and utility meters. Typicallythey are considered an inexpensive way of providing tamper evidence ofintrusion into sensitive spaces.

Often, home delivery of many goods, such as perishable farm items suchas milk, eggs, and ice, were delivered weekly or even daily to customersby local farms. Fast food is also delivered in food containers, such aspizza boxes.

A cover on a food container may be fabricated from a material that isconducive to separating into multiple layers. A seal lock could bepositioned between the layers to help retain the cover in a closedposition.

In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniquesare not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a sectioned view of an exemplary locking system withan exemplary seal positioned between an exemplary upper surface and alower surface of a cover, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 2 illustrates a sectioned view of an exemplary locking system withan exemplary at least one protrusion on a locking end of a seal engagingan exemplary at least one aperture on a lower surface of a cover, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailedfigures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to theFigures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthe detailed description given herein with respect to these figures isfor explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled inthe art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention,recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, dependingupon the needs of the particular application, to implement thefunctionality of any given detail described herein, beyond theparticular implementation choices in the following embodiments describedand shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations ofthe invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit withinthe scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read asplural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, whereappropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply thatthe two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limitedto the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturingtechniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary.It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is notintended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be notedthat as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is areference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof knownto those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a referenceto “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or meansand may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions usedare to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, theword “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical“or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the contextclearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to beunderstood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures.Language that may be construed to express approximation should be sounderstood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods,techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods,techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to thosedescribed herein may be used in the practice or testing of the presentinvention. Structures described herein are to be understood also torefer to functional equivalents of such structures. The presentinvention will now be described in detail with reference to embodimentsthereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modificationswill be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations andmodifications may involve equivalent and other features which arealready known in the art, and which may be used instead of or inaddition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this application to particularcombinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of thedisclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature orany novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly orimplicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates tothe same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or notit mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does thepresent invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments mayalso be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely,various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of asingle embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitablesubcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may beformulated to such features and/or combinations of such features duringthe prosecution of the present application or of any further applicationderived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,”“various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of theinvention so described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated useof the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” donot necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken aslimiting the disclosure in any way.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of theitems are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

Devices or system modules that are in at least general communicationwith each other need not be in continuous communication with each other,unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or systemmodules that are in at least general communication with each other maycommunicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communicationwith each other does not imply that all such components are required. Onthe contrary a variety of optional components are described toillustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the presentinvention.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerationsand compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimalmanufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and inparticular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercialimplementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of thepresent invention may configured according to the needs of theparticular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s),result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachingsrelated to any described embodiment of the present invention may besuitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improvedand/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skillsand known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation thataddresses the needs of the particular application.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference toembodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

There are various types of locking systems that may be provided bypreferred embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, the locking system may include a seal portion that atleast partially locks a food container and indicates whether the foodcontainer has been opened subsequent to locking the seal. In someembodiments, the locking system may provide a locking mechanism thatjoins with, and works in conjunction with the food container to form atamper proof seal portion. In this manner, the container may remain in aclosed position until a need to open the container. The seal portion isconfigured to indicate if the cover on the food container has beenopened, or if the sidewalls on the food container have been manipulatedto access the contents. The food container may include, withoutlimitation, a pizza box, a Chinese food cylindrical container, a friedchicken box, a frozen food box, a corrugated box, Tupperware, a picnicbasket, and any container designed to store cooked or raw foods.

In some embodiments, the seal portion may at least partially wrap aroundthe food container. The seal portion may include, without limitation, athin, durable strip of material fabricated from substantially the samematerial from which the food container is constructed. However, in otherembodiments, the seal portion may be fabricated from other construct,including, without limitation, cardboard, paper, plastic, fiber,aluminum, metal, and rubber. The food container may comprise a novelcover configured to engage the seal for locking the container into aclosed position until an authorized user breaks the seal to access thecontents of the food container. The container may include a base thatprovides a foundation and engages a ground surface. A plurality ofsidewalls extends up from the base. The cover on the container may behingedly joined with one end of the sidewalls and pivot between an openand a closed position. The cover may comprise a lower surface and anupper surface. The lower surface may form a layer that is closest to thefood. The lower surface may also comprise at least one aperture thatforms a component of the locking mechanism. The upper surface of thecontainer rests in proximity, and above the lower surface. The uppersurface may comprise a compression portion that forms yet anothercomponent of the locking mechanism.

A slot, which is accessible from one end of the cover, may form betweenthe upper surface and the lower surface. The slot may be sized anddimensioned to at least partially receive the seal portion. In someembodiments, the seal portion may at least partially slide into the slotand engage the at least one aperture to lock the container. The slotforms a snug fit around the seal portion, such that pulling the sealportion from the slot after locking may be destructive to the containerand the seal portion. In this manner, tampering may be visibly apparent.

In one embodiment, the seal portion may include a base end that at leastpartially wraps around the base and one of the sidewalls of thecontainer. The base end may fasten to an outside surface area of thebase and the sidewall, forming a secure connection through variousfastening mechanisms, including, without limitation, an adhesive, a pin,a screw, a magnet, and friction. The seal portion may further comprise alocking end opposite the base end.

In some embodiments, the locking end may pass through the slot forlocking the cover down onto the container. A drive mechanism on acentral section of the seal and on the locking end of the seal mayinclude an indentation configured to be operable for a finger to push,or slide the locking end into the slot, between the lower surface andthe upper surface of the cover. The locking end may include at least oneprotrusion that engages with, and fastens to the at least one apertureof the lower surface. The at least one protrusion may include aplurality of teeth that utilize curved ends, or friction to secure intothe at least one aperture. Once the at least one protrusion positionsabove the at least one aperture, the compression portion on the uppersurface may then be pressed down to engage the locking end into the slotfor locking. The compression portion may include an indentationconfigured to be operable to be pressed down by a hand for pressing theat least one protrusion into the at least one aperture; and therebylocking the seal portion onto the cover. Upon engagement between the atleast one protrusion and the at least one aperture, the food containermay be locked. In some embodiments, a plurality of seals may positionaround the cover to provide additional locking means.

FIG. 1 illustrates a sectioned view of an exemplary locking system withan exemplary seal portion positioned between an exemplary upper surfaceand a lower surface of a cover, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. In the present invention, a locking system 100 mayinclude a seal portion 102 that at least partially locks a container 108and indicates whether the container has been opened subsequent tolocking the seal portion. In this manner, the container may remain in aclosed position until a need to open the container. In some embodiments,the container may include a food container. The food container mayinclude, without limitation, a pizza box, a Chinese food cylindricalcontainer, a fried chicken box, a frozen food box, a corrugated box,Tupperware, a picnic basket, and any container designed to store cookedor raw foods. Those skilled in the art, in light of the presentteachings will recognize that delivery drivers may tamper with foodduring deliveries. The locking system for the food container may helpinhibit this potentially hazardous act by forming a tamper proof sealover a cover 110 on the food container.

In some embodiments, the locking system may provide a locking mechanismthat joins with, and works in conjunction with the food container toform a tamper proof seal portion. The seal portion may be configured toindicate if the cover on the food container has been opened, or if aplurality of sidewalls 120 on the food container has been manipulated toaccess an item inside the container. In one embodiment, the seal portionmay pass between an upper surface 114 and a lower surface 112 of a coveron the container. The seal portion fastens to the lower surface througha locking mechanism, such as at least one protrusion engaging at leastone aperture. The upper surface positions so close to the lower surfacethat insufficient space exists to tamper with the seal portion withoutbreaking the seal portion or damaging the food container. In thismanner, tampering may be easily identified.

In some embodiments, the seal portion may at least partially wrap aroundthe food container. The seal portion may include, without limitation, athin, durable strip of material fabricated from substantially the samematerial from which the food container is constructed.

However, in other embodiments, the seal portion may be fabricated fromother construct, including, without limitation, cardboard, paper,plastic, fiber, aluminum, metal, and rubber. The food container maycomprise a novel cover configured to engage the seal portion for lockingthe container into a closed position until an authorized user breaks theseal portion to access the contents of the food container. The containermay include a base 122 that provides a foundation and engages a groundsurface. A plurality of sidewalls extends up from the base. The cover onthe container may be hingedly joined with one end of the sidewalls andpivot between an open and a closed position. The cover may comprise alower surface and an upper surface. The lower surface may form a layerthat is closest to the food. The lower surface may also comprise atleast one aperture 124 that forms a component of the locking mechanism.The upper surface of the container rests in proximity, and above thelower surface.

A slot 118 may form between the upper surface and the lower surface. Theslot may be sized and dimensioned to at least partially enable the sealportion to slidably move along a longitudinal axis. The upper surfacemay comprise a compression portion that forms yet another component ofthe locking mechanism. The compression portion may include anindentation sized and dimensioned to be operable to be pressed down by afinger or hand. The slot, which is accessible from one end of the cover,may form between the upper surface and the lower surface. The slot maybe sized and dimensioned to at least partially receive the seal portion.In some embodiments, the seal portion may at least partially slide intothe slot and engage the at least one aperture to lock the container. Theslot may form a snug fit around the seal, such that pulling the sealfrom the slot after locking may be destructive to the container and theseal portion. In this manner, tampering may be visibly apparent.

In some embodiments, the seal portion may include a base end 106 that atleast partially wraps around the base and one of the sidewalls of thecontainer. The base end may fasten to an outside surface area of thebase and the sidewall, forming a secure connection through variousfastening mechanisms, including, without limitation, an adhesive, a pin,a screw, a magnet, and friction. The seal portion may further comprise alocking end 104 opposite the base end. In one embodiment, the base endmay be glued to the food container, and the locking end may be free topass through the slot and lock the cover down.

The locking end of the seal portion may pass through the slot forlocking the cover down onto the container. A drive mechanism 116 on acentral section of the seal portion and on the locking end of the sealportion may include an indentation configured to be operable for afinger to push, or slide the locking end into the slot, between thelower surface and the upper surface of the cover. The indentation mayinclude moon shaped indentations along the edge of the seal, configuredto be operable to be pushed by a thumb for sliding the locking end intothe slot. The locking end may include at least one protrusion thatengages with, and fastens to the at least one aperture of the lowersurface. The at least one protrusion may include a plurality of teeththat utilize curved ends, or friction to secure into the at least oneaperture. In one embodiment, the at least one protrusion comprises sixcardboard teeth, sized and dimensioned to pass through and lock with sixcompatible apertures in the lower surface.

FIG. 2 illustrates a sectioned view of an exemplary locking system withan exemplary at least one protrusion on a locking end of a seal portionengaging an exemplary at least one aperture on a lower surface of acover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In oneembodiment, the at least one protrusion may include, without limitation,six rectangular holes on the lower surface of the cover. In the presentinvention, once the at least one protrusion 202 from the locking endpositions above the at least one aperture, a compression portion 204 onthe upper surface may be pressed down to engage the locking end into theslot for locking. The compression portion may include an indentationconfigured to be operable to be pressed down by a hand for pressing theat least one protrusion into the at least one aperture; and therebylocking the seal portion onto the cover. Upon engagement between the atleast one protrusion and the at least one aperture, the food containermay be locked. The upper surface positions so close to the lower surfacethat insufficient space exists to tamper with the seal portion withoutbreaking the seal or damaging the food container. In this manner,tampering may be easily identified. In some embodiments, a plurality ofseals may position around the cover to provide additional locking means.For example, without limitation, two seals, with each seal wrappingaround the container form opposite ends, and passing through slots fromopposite ends of the cover.

In one alternative embodiment, the locking system may lock cargocontainers used to carry goods over the seas or in airplanes. In yetanother alternative embodiment, the upper surface and the lower surfaceof the cover may bind together over the seal portion to provideadditional security. In yet another alternative embodiment, an audioportion, such as a beeping mechanism may be actuated when the seal isbroken, or when the teeth are separated from the holes. In yet anotheralternative embodiment, the locking end of the seal portion may includea magnet that fastens to the lower surface of the cover. In yet anotheralternative embodiment, the locking system may utilize a combinationcode to separate the teeth from the holes.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention, that any of theforegoing steps may be suitably replaced, reordered, removed andadditional steps may be inserted depending upon the needs of theparticular application. Moreover, the prescribed method steps of theforegoing embodiments may be implemented using any physical and/orhardware system that those skilled in the art will readily know issuitable in light of the foregoing teachings. For any method stepsdescribed in the present application that can be carried out on acomputing machine, a typical computer system can, when appropriatelyconfigured or designed, serve as a computer system in which thoseaspects of the invention may be embodied. Thus, the present invention isnot limited to any particular tangible means of implementation.

It will be further apparent to those skilled in the art that at least aportion of the novel method steps and/or system components of thepresent invention may be practiced and/or located in location(s)possibly outside the jurisdiction of the United States of America (USA),whereby it will be accordingly readily recognized that at least a subsetof the novel method steps and/or system components in the foregoingembodiments must be practiced within the jurisdiction of the USA for thebenefit of an entity therein or to achieve an object of the presentinvention. Thus, some alternate embodiments of the present invention maybe configured to comprise a smaller subset of the foregoing means forand/or steps described that the applications designer will selectivelydecide, depending upon the practical considerations of the particularimplementation, to carry out and/or locate within the jurisdiction ofthe USA. For example, any of the foregoing described method steps and/orsystem components which may be performed remotely over a network (e.g.,without limitation, a remotely located server) may be performed and/orlocated outside of the jurisdiction of the USA while the remainingmethod steps and/or system components (e.g., without limitation, alocally located client) of the forgoing embodiments are typicallyrequired to be located/performed in the USA for practicalconsiderations. In client-server architectures, a remotely locatedserver typically generates and transmits required information to a USbased client, for use according to the teachings of the presentinvention. Depending upon the needs of the particular application, itwill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of theteachings of the present invention, which aspects of the presentinvention can or should be located locally and which can or should belocated remotely. Thus, for any claims construction of the followingclaim limitations that are construed under 35 USC §112 (6) it isintended that the corresponding means for and/or steps for carrying outthe claimed function are the ones that are locally implemented withinthe jurisdiction of the USA, while the remaining aspect(s) performed orlocated remotely outside the USA are not intended to be construed under35 USC §112 (6).

All the features disclosed in this specification, including anyaccompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternativefeatures serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unlessexpressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise,each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series ofequivalent or similar features.

It is noted that according to USA law 35 USC §112 (1), all claims mustbe supported by sufficient disclosure in the present patentspecification, and any material known to those skilled in the art neednot be explicitly disclosed. However, 35 USC §112 (6) requires thatstructures corresponding to functional limitations interpreted under 35USC §112 (6) must be explicitly disclosed in the patent specification.Moreover, the USPTO's Examination policy of initially treating andsearching prior art under the broadest interpretation of a “mean for”claim limitation implies that the broadest initial search on 112(6)functional limitation would have to be conducted to support a legallyvalid Examination on that USPTO policy for broadest interpretation of“mean for” claims. Accordingly, the USPTO will have discovered amultiplicity of prior art documents including disclosure of specificstructures and elements which are suitable to act as correspondingstructures to satisfy all functional limitations in the below claimsthat are interpreted under 35 USC §112 (6) when such correspondingstructures are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patentspecification. Therefore, for any invention element(s)/structure(s)corresponding to functional claim limitation(s), in the below claimsinterpreted under 35 USC §112 (6), which is/are not explicitly disclosedin the foregoing patent specification, yet do exist in the patent and/ornon-patent documents found during the course of USPTO searching,Applicant(s) incorporate all such functionally corresponding structuresand related enabling material herein by reference for the purpose ofproviding explicit structures that implement the functional meansclaimed. Applicant(s) request(s) that fact finders during any claimsconstruction proceedings and/or examination of patent allowabilityproperly identify and incorporate only the portions of each of thesedocuments discovered during the broadest interpretation search of 35 USC§112 (6) limitation, which exist in at least one of the patent and/ornon-patent documents found during the course of normal USPTO searchingand or supplied to the USPTO during prosecution. Applicant(s) alsoincorporate by reference the bibliographic citation information toidentify all such documents comprising functionally correspondingstructures and related enabling material as listed in any PTO Form-892or likewise any information disclosure statements (IDS) entered into thepresent patent application by the USPTO or Applicant(s) or any 3^(rd)parties. Applicant(s) also reserve its right to later amend the presentapplication to explicitly include citations to such documents and/orexplicitly include the functionally corresponding structures which wereincorporate by reference above.

Thus, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding tofunctional claim limitation(s), in the below claims, that areinterpreted under 35 USC §112 (6), which is/are not explicitly disclosedin the foregoing patent specification, Applicant(s) have explicitlyprescribed which documents and material to include the otherwise missingdisclosure, and have prescribed exactly which portions of such patentand/or non-patent documents should be incorporated by such reference forthe purpose of satisfying the disclosure requirements of 35 USC §112(6). Applicant(s) note that all the identified documents above which areincorporated by reference to satisfy 35 USC §112 (6) necessarily have afiling and/or publication date prior to that of the instant application,and thus are valid prior documents to incorporated by reference in theinstant application.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention,other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing a locking systemto inhibit tampering with food inside containers according to thepresent invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Variousaspects of the invention have been described above by way ofillustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended tolimit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. The particularimplementation of the locking system to inhibit tampering with foodinside containers may vary depending upon the particular context orapplication. By way of example, and not limitation, the locking systemto inhibit tampering with food inside containers described in theforegoing were principally directed to a pizza box locking mechanismthat forms a seal around the box and between two layers in the coverimplementations; however, similar techniques may instead be applied tolarger food containers, such as refrigerators, which implementations ofthe present invention are contemplated as within the scope of thepresent invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of thefollowing claims. It is to be further understood that not all of thedisclosed embodiments in the foregoing specification will necessarilysatisfy or achieve each of the objects, advantages, or improvementsdescribed in the foregoing specification.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or letteredsolely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numberingand lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken toindicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b)requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the natureand gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scopeor meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporatedinto the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as aseparate embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a container for containing an item, said container comprising a cover for at least partially regulating access to said item, said cover comprising a lower surface, said lower surface comprising a slot, said lower surface further comprising at least one aperture, said cover further comprising an upper surface, said upper surface comprising a compression portion; and a seal portion for at least partially securing said container in a closed position and at least partially inhibiting tampering with said container, said seal portion being disposed to at least partially encompass said container, said seal portion comprising a locking end for at least partially locking said cover into said closed position, said locking end being disposed to position between said upper surface and said lower surface, said locking end comprising a drive mechanism for driving said locking end into said slot, said locking end further comprising at least one protrusion for at least partially passing through said at least one aperture, said at least one protrusion being configured to at least partially receive a force from said compression portion for engaging said at least one aperture.
 2. The system of claim 1, in which said system comprises a locking system.
 3. The system of claim 2, in which said container comprises a food container.
 4. The system of claim 3, in which said item comprises a food.
 5. The system of claim 4, in which said container comprises a base.
 6. The system of claim 5, in which said container comprises at least one sidewall.
 7. The system of claim 6, in which said seal portion comprises a base end.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein said base end engages said base and said at least one sidewall for at least partially encompassing said container.
 9. The system of claim 8, in which said base end comprises an adhesive.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein said locking end is adapted to move along a longitudinal axis of said slot.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein said upper surface and said lower surface are sufficiently proximal to indicate tampering with said seal portion.
 12. The system of claim 11, in which said compression portion comprises a semi-circular indentation configured to be operable to be pressed down by a hand for pressing said at least one protrusion into said at least one aperture.
 13. The system of claim 12, in which said at least one protrusion comprises six curved rectangular teeth.
 14. The system of claim 13, in which said at least one aperture comprises six holes configured to at least partially receive said six curved rectangular teeth.
 15. The system of claim 14, in which said locking end comprises an adhesive.
 16. The system of claim 15, in which said seal portion comprises a pair of straps.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein said pair of straps comprise a substantially similar material as said container.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein said pair of straps engage said container from opposite ends of said container.
 19. A system comprising: means for positioning an item inside a container; means for moving a cover of said container into a closed position; means for encompassing said container with a seal portion; means for fastening a base end to a base and at least one sidewall of said container; means for sliding a locking end into a slot with a drive mechanism; means for pressing at least one protrusion into at least one aperture with a compression portion; and means for locking said cover into said closed position and at least partially inhibiting tampering of said cover.
 20. A system consisting of: a container for containing an item, said container comprising a food container, said item comprising a food, said container further comprising a base, said container further comprising at least one sidewall, said container further comprising a cover for at least partially regulating access to said item, said cover comprising a lower surface, said lower surface comprising a slot, said lower surface further comprising at least one aperture, said at least one aperture comprising six rectangular holes, said cover further comprising an upper surface, said upper surface and said lower surface being sufficiently proximal to indicate tampering, said upper surface comprising a compression portion, said compression portion comprising a semi-circular indentation configured to be operable to be pressed down by a hand; and a seal portion for at least partially securing said container in a closed position and at least partially inhibiting tampering with said container, said seal portion comprising a pair of straps, said pair of straps being disposed to engage said container from opposite ends, said seal portion being disposed to at least partially encompass said container, said seal portion comprising a locking end for at least partially locking said cover into said closed position, said locking end being disposed to position between said upper surface and said lower surface, said locking end being configured to at least partially position inside said slot, said locking end being adapted to move along a longitudinal axis of said slot, said locking end comprising a drive mechanism for driving said locking end into said slot, said locking end further comprising at least one protrusion for at least partially passing through said at least one aperture, said at least one protrusion comprising six curved rectangular teeth, said at least one protrusion being configured to at least partially receive a force from said compression portion for engaging said at least one aperture, said seal portion further comprising a base end for engaging said base and said at least one sidewall, said base end comprising an adhesive for fastening to said base. 